Grandia

"Lots of hits"

(Yep- another first timer. ^_^)

General/First Impressions: There isn't much of actual interest on the box execpt that it's fairly clear that the game uses anime style graphics. The intro is a nicely designed orchestric video with a quick point to be made- the characters are drawn, not computer generated.

Gameplay 9/10: If you're a person raised on the old school games and used to levelling to a hefty amount before you attempt the next zone, you'll have no problem with challenge. Battles are designed with little monsters running around and the side you run into them matters but initative, placement on a battle field, etc. Combat is described as 'real-time' but there are paused for command input. I found that the slick combat method is a refreshing change from the design of the Final Fantasy series. Combat works with a small ring of commands that pops up when your character is refreshed enough to attack. While selecting commands, action is paused. Control also supported Dual-Shock (under Graphics)

Story 6/10: I didn't see too much out of the standard fare here. A youthful adventurer wishes to make a grand discovery and follow in the steps of his ancestors. Character development seems a little lopsided though.

Music: 10/10: Woah! This was actually the first thing to capture my attention! It uses actual music instead of computer generated. In some scenes, the characters talk and the dubbing actuall sounds better than some of the commerical anime I've seen. Personally, I think sound may have been what inflated this game to two disks.

Graphics 9/10: Graphics are clean and nicely done. The larger characters have their own faces that pop up when you talk to them. There are several expressions that do a good job on conveying how the characters think. Dual-Shock operates the camera and zoom levels. It supports vibration function as well. As before, they game is done is anime style.

Replay Value: I'm not too keen on replaying RPGs as I mainly play them for story. I suppose it's worth a replay after a while or if you like to marvel at the fun graphics and good music.

Value: A solid buy for the RPG genre that I'd value at $50 or so.

Overall: 9/10. Don't take this personally to anybody who really loves this game as this is only my opinion (besides, I doubt I'd give a 10 to any game but I really love that's complete and solid-not that this isn't but...) and feel free to send a letter to me if you'd like to talk about this. No flaming, screaming, etc please. =)

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/21/00, Updated 08/21/00